The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott freight train continues to roll along into the early portion of the autumn, as Straight Charge (+140) took total control to secure victory in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
It was a front-running masterclass by the son of Written By, with Tim Clark electing to cross to the lead throughout the 1100m contest from barrier seven, ensuring stablemate and second-favourite Espionage (+180) would be forced to take the leaders back.
The two-year-old colt led them up at a strong tempo, with some of the leading contenders – including Erno's Cube (+550), Celerity (+900) and Embassy (+800) all left chasing a long way out.
That trio would be left fighting out the finish for the minor money, however, as the Waterhouse & Bott pair were simply a class above on Saturday.
When the whips were cracking, there was only one horse you wanted to be on, however, as Straight Charge dictated every step of the way, clearing out on Espionage setting up the quinella pair beautifully for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 23.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on course to discuss the impressive outing of both his two-year-olds and gave the impression the traditional Todman lead-up would be the next target for both.
“Excellent. He is a very talented colt (Straight Charge),” said Bott.
“I was heartbroken we didn't get to see him go up to the Magic Millions, he's such a great talent. But he's back here today to showcase it and it was a very impressive win.
“He has been a natural two-year-old all the way through, from the minute we did anything with him he has shown that natural brilliance. That great early speed and good, sustained speed.
“He has been very impressive today and that's what we have seen all the way through. He took the running up early and it was very difficult because he had a good colt (stablemate Espionage) chasing him. I think he enjoyed the conditions and there is still a bit of improvement to come.
“Both intend to go to the Todman, that's the path we have set for them. That will have them fit, hard and ready for the Golden Slipper so every intention we see them both again.”
Jockey Tim Clark was elated with the victory of his mount and credited his growing association with the Waterhouse & Bott camp.
“I felt that if anything today was where he was going to be probably most vulnerable but he's just got just an abundance of speed,” said Clark.
“But he come back to me nicely when I asked him and sort of rested around the bend. I was confident that he'd get through the ground (Soft 6) from what he'd shown at home.
“We come here thinking that that's the sort of performance we want to see from him, it was excellent to get the result.
“It's a good position to be in. I don't take that lightly being one of their riders for Gai and Adrian. But I really just lean on them mainly and Gai was pretty adamant I stick with this bloke pre-Christmas and again leading into this prep.
“I try and lean on them a lot and they've been right most of the time.”
Straight Charge is now on the third line of betting for the Group 1 Golden Slipper at +1000 with online bookmakers.